Latch for curing rim



Feb. 2, 1965 w. ROSS LATCH FOR CURIN G RIM 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed March19, 1962 INVENTOR. WHITE ROSS I t 0 s a /-//S A TTOENEYS Feb. 2, 1965 w.ROSS LATCH FOR CURING RIM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 19, 1962INVENTOR. WHITE ROSS W f w M: ATTGR/VEYS 3,167,818 LATCH FUR CURING REMWhite Ross, Hayward, Califi, assignor to Eirick Industries, linc.,Oakiand, Calif. Filed Mar. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 180,546 1 Claim. (Ci.18-42;)

This invention relates to collapsible curing rims and more particularlyto a novel latch for such type curing rims. 1

In the art of retreading and/or recapping worn tires it is the practiceto place the tire carcass within two half rim side walls joined toprovide a conventional split matrix by which ,the tread design isimpressed upon the new ,rubber during vulcanization thereof to thecarcass. With the carcass so disposed an inflatable curing bag much likean inner tube is inserted into the carcass and backed up by a curingrim. Since the curing rim must be insertedafter placement of the carcassand bag within the closed matrix it will be appreciated that anassemblable or a collapsible curing rim is most convenient. It is withcollapsible curing rims of this nature that we are here concerned.

The present invention is embodied in a rim made of integrated segmentscollapsible intoa compact unit, i.e., one which folds up intoa size wellwithin the orbit of the rim beads of the tire carcass which is toreceive the curing rim. The invention herein concerns the provision of anovel securing means at the closing joint for a collapsible curing rimmade up of a plurality of hingedly connected or integrated segments inwhich two unconnected terminalsegments are so constructed as to readilyalign with each other and to be secured together.

The invention further contemplates a latch for securing segments of sucha rim which automatically locks such terminal segments in alignedcondition at the closing joint.

Since the terminal segments of the closing joint of hinged type curingrims are not such as to remain aligned at the abutting joint it is afurther object of this invention to provide means for maintaining themeeting ends of the terminal segments in orbital alignment with eachother.

It is a further object of this invention to provide novel interlockinglatch halves on the 1 terminal segments for securing them together oncethey are alignedwith each other.

These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwillbecome apparent from a reading of the following description in the lightof the drawings in which:

FlGfl is a diametrical section through a tire mold having a tire, curingbag and curing rim arranged therein.

FIG. 2 is a partial section similar to FIG. 1 showing the tire inflatedand molded.

FIG. 5 is a large scale detail of the latch means of the presentinvention about to be interrelated.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the latch means interrelated and about to belocked.

FIG. 7 is a section through FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a section similar to FIG. 7 with the latch means interlocked.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of two terminal segments of thecuring rim showing the latch means interlooked as in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the interlocking latch halves only.vFIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of the terminal segments ofthe curing rim to illustrate the relation of the latch means therewith.

Referring first to FIG. 1 of the drawing a tire T with recap rubber R isshown arranged within two halves of a "ice matrix or mold M. Within thetire T is a curing bag C in deflated condition and backed by a curingrim 1%.

The curing rim it embodying the present invention is shown in FIG. 3, asbeing made up of a plurality of segments 1S, lid, 17, 18 and 19 each ofwhich, except for the first and last, is hingedly connected to anadjacent segment. The first and last segments 15 and 19, hereinafterreferred to as terminal segments, when aligned with each other cometogether at what is commonly known as a closing joint. The line ofseparation at the closing joint between segments 15 and 19 is theterminal edges 15 and 19' respectively thereof.

These vabuttable edges become radially disposed relative to the rim 19when the latter is in opened condition. In order to maintain the rim 1%in opened condition and to prevent internal collapsingthereof at theclosing joint, the" two terminal segments must be secured together.

The present invention is concerned with an interlocking latch 29 for theclosing joint of the rim 10. The latch 20 comprises two interlockingmembers 21 and 22. For purposes of distinguishing the latch members fromeach other,

member 21 is identified as a male member and member 22 as a femalemember. Each member 21 and 22 has a mounting portion adapted to overlieand to be secured to a terminal segment of the rim it). The member 21 issecured as by welding to the inner peripheral surface of the terminalsegment 15 and the member 22 is secured in like manner'to the innerperipheral surface of the last terminal segment 19. Each member 21 and22. has a portion thereof extending beyond the terminal edge 15' and 1?of the particular segment to which it is secured. These members 21 and22 will now be described in specific detail.

The female member 22 has a mounting portion 23 so constructed as to forma socket 24 with the terminal segment 19 to which it is attached. Asbest seen in FIG. 10

the member 22 consists of a top or flat plate portion 25 having an opencenterzd of rectangular shape so that the plate portion 25 is in theform of a loop L. The mounting portion 23 of the member 22 covers aboutone half of latter closes the bottom of the recess 24- formedby theflanges 27 to provide the aforementioned socket 24 with the femalemember 22. The open end of the socket 24 is at the terminal edge 19' ofthe segment 1? and substantially midway the ends of the plate 25 so.that approximately one half of the loop L formed by the plate extendsbeyond the terminal edge 19' of the segment 19.

The male member 21 is a flat plate consisting of a mounting portion 29having extending therefrom a tongue portion 36 of lesser width than themounting portion. The tongue portion 3% is of such width as to havesliding fit between the side walls of the three sided flange 27 andthetongue is of such thickness as to fit into the socket 24 provided bythe three sided flange 2'7 and the upper surface of the segment 19confined thereby. The male member 21 further includes an upwardlyprojecting knob 31 on the top surface of the torgue portion 30 andpartially onto the top of the mounting portion 29. The knob 31 is ofsquare configuration and of a width to; fit into In order to understandthe purpose and operation of the present invention an explanation of theuse of the curing rim and the stresses and pressures to which it issubjected when associated with a tire being recapped in the mold willnow be given.

ting relation With each other.

The curing rim it) is collapsedor folded together to fitf within theorbit (FIG; 3)" representing the annular diameter of. the rim beadofatire into whichthe curing berattached is in the mold or matrix M. Thecuring bag rim is adapted tube-placed. ThetireT with recap rub:

C in'defiat'ed condition is within the tire cavity.; Vv'hen thereof;overlies the knob 31 and tongue portion 36 the male, member 21 on thesegment 15 (see dotted lines FIG. 3 and sectional detail FIG; of thedrawings); In i order torclose the closing joint the rim must beexpanded and the latch jmernbers'21. and 22 interrelated. pre liminaryto coming into interlocking relation. r This is accomplished'with amanually operated leverage type, rhnexpanding'toolSS engaging lugs 36and 37 affixed to the inner peripheral surfaces of the terminal seg-'men-ts and Il9.- This is a well known method of ex-: 7 panding rims tovalign abutting terminal segments with each other. In the case of thelatch means .29 of the pres-- entinyention .thecuring rim ltiis expandedby the 001.35 7 as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and'4, The terminal segments 15and 19 are thus spread to the position shown in FIGS. "3,6 and 7 so thatthe terminal edge lit/"0f that portion 28, segment19,-.canpassrhe foreedge 39 of the male member 21. The segment '19 can now swinginto'annular alignment withsegment 15. However, the extended portron ofthe loop L must be registered with the knob 31 so that ,the knob. canfit up into the opening Ed -formed i therein. When the twojlatchmembers21 and 22 are rthus interrelated the. forward bight 4%) of. the plate 25 restsupon' the top surface oflthe mounting portion 29] of the member21 and limitsexpansion of therim beyond readiness of the latchmembersto. become interlocked. v This assuresalignment of the tongue 3i) withthe socket Z i W-hen the leveragetool 35 is released and the rim it)allowed to 'reassume, normal or. unexpanded condition.

' The tongue dhthereuponslides into the socket 234 to thus securethetermina'l segments 15 and i? inannular align-.

ment as their terminaledgeslfi, and l9'come into abut- It should here benoted that; thetongue -30 is confined between the plate 25 and part-28of the segment l9con- J fined within the three sidedwall or flange 27forming the socket 24; Moreover, irrespective of any undue .expani sionof the'rimltl, the tongue Ed is maintained in alignment-with thesocket24. As long as the tongue 3d is evenslightlywithinthe socket? 2d inwardcollapsing of 1 the rim is prevented. Slight expansion can occur duringinflation of the, curing bag C as will-now be explained.

. a pull on' the curing 10 causing the latter to expand radiallyoutward. Such expanding stress tends to open up the closingjointbetweenthe terminal edges IS' and 19" of the terminal-segments l5 and 19.Thisex-pansion is quite limited. and ,doesnot'normally exceed the lengthor projectionofthe tongue lih beyond the terminal edge 15 of the segmentupon whieh 'the male member 21 is secured. Consequently the tongue 50merely shifts within the socket '24 or" the female member 22 but stillrnaintains the terminal; segments 15 and 19 interrelated =witheachother. Thus the tire T'is maintained centered and concentric to thematrix mold M during inflation of the curing bag C. .,Once the treadrubber R ispressed firmly against the matrix of the -mold M and further.outward movement of the, side wallsr46-47Yceas'es thegcuring rim 10 byits inherent nature vreturns'to its normal annular J 7 condition withtheclosing joint closed, i.e edges 15149 'ofthe'terminal segments inabutting relation. Thus the;

tonguefitlis fully'withinthe socket 24 and thecentered and concentricposition-ofthe. tire which isnow static relative to the mold M isestablished and will not change.

. vTheelainp discs 43 anded can" now "be removed because the curing rim10, is centered and concentric to the mold M andthe entire. arrangementstatic and ready for vulcanization of the tread rubber to the thecarcass.

Thereafter, as the curing bagCgpresses back against the closed rim lathelatter provides a'jsolidannularbase for ,thecuring bag While the latter;maintains a' constant outward pressure against the; tire. duringvulcaniz-ing of the tread Irubbergthereto. 1 a V T After vulcanizationand curing of the retread rubber and cooling of the mold, the curing bagis deflated and the leverage tool 35 isxagain employed to spread theterminal segments; The-'rnale'and femal'ef. latch members 21 and 22 arethereby shifted to remove the tongue 39 from the socket 24.- When thebightportio'n' 4 00f the loop ing' the leverage tool 135 fulcrum fashionabouttheilug 36" on segment 15, segmentr19'can now be swung. inwardly 7(counter clockwise. FIGS, 3; 4 and 11) to disenga'gethe two'latchmembers 21 and 22 from each'other.

Referring to FIG; 1 the tire T is initially placed'in the 1.

mold'M. Thelcuring' bag C is within the tire in deflated condition andthe curing rim in. closed conditionfisalso withinthe tire to form orprovide a base fromwhich the I curing baggon inflation, will expandoutwardly to. press 1 the new tread rubber R toward the matrixpatternzof the 1 mold M. It is'duringthis outward expansion of the tirecasing relative. to the curing rim that an outward expand:

. ing stress is exerted on the curving',rirnili.i j Beforeinflationofthe curing bag, and in' order to maintain the tire T centered andconcentric to the mold, the rim-beads 41 and 42 of the two discs 4-3 and4 and the latter drawn togetheron a tire-are clamped between While'Ihave descri'bed rny improved securing means for the closing joint of; acuring rim in specificdetail it will be appreciated -bythosef skilled-inthe" art-that the same is's'usceptible to'variations, alterationsand/or.modifications without departing from the-spirit'ofmy inventionftherein..I therefore desire to avail myselfofallvari 'ations,; alterationsand/or modifications as fairly come within the purviewof the appendedclaim.

What I1claim I as new I and desire; to'protect by Letters Patentiisr" V7 A latchfor-the.closingjointofh collapsible curing rim in which a pairof aligned matching rim segments have a closeable segment swingable intonormally end abuttingrelation to: theother terminal segment to resist'separation, each rim' segment having'a lugproje'ctingfrom its backadjacent the abutting end thereof. requiring the use .ofza manuallyoperated ,toolconsisting of apair of l connected, lever {members tosimultaneously engage the lugs and push the same apart to separate theabuttahle segcenter bolt 45 as shown in FIG. 1. 'Thisfmaintains" thewalls d and .47-of thetirel T firmly against the annular, 5 surfaceofthe curing rim during inflation of the curing; Y

'haglC. As the bag C expands outwardly from the curing rim 10'the-entire tire-carcass-isforeed-radially outward towardtheimatrix ofthemold M. It will therefore be I noted that the walls 46 and 47 of thetire,*which frictiona'lly engage theannular surface of the rim 14i,tend. to shift radially outward aroundthe same. This creates merits; thelatch. comprisingia male latch member having a mounting portionsecuredon thehback of the said other terminal segment between therelated socket and the adjacent end of'such terminal segment'anda tongueonxsaid mounting portion extending beyond the end of such terminalsegment; a female member having-a flat plate portion providedwithdownwardlyiextending flanges along both sides/to substantiallymidway'the endsof such plate portion secured to thezback face of thecloseable seg rhenti with the midway ends of said flanges aligned with vthe adjacent end of such closeable segment and providing a socketbetween the'latter'and saidfiat plate portion'for receWing said tonguewhenfthe segmentsare aligned,fsaid flat plate portion extending beyondthe adjacent end of the closing segment such as to normally obstruct thelatter from swinging into alignment with the terminal segment, the flatplate portion having an open center formed therein half overlying saidsocket and half beyond the adjacent end of the closing segment andhaving a bight at the end of said flat plate adapted to rest upon themounting plate of said male latch member when the segments areseparated, and a knob formed on the outer surface of said tongue halfthe size of the center opening in said flat plate portion and adapted toextend into that half of said center opening of said flat plate portionextending beyond the adjacent end of the closing segment when thesegments are separated, and the bight of said first plate portionengages said mounting plate for aligning the segments for abuttingrelation and for engaging said knob to limit separation of the alignedsegments a distance not exceeding the projection of said tongue beyond 7the end of the terminal segment.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS673,382 Chaifee May 7, 1901 881,183 Guyer Mar. 10, 1908 1,274,610Schueler Aug. 6, 1918 2,846,016 Hanes Aug. 5, 1958 2,850,768 ElrickSept. 9, 1958 2,985,917 Sunday May 30, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 554,511Germany July 9, 1932

